What are Candle Wicks Made From?
You may enjoy the warmth of candles after a long day at work or simply want to make your home more pleasant. While you may think that the most important aspects of a candle are its shape, color, and fragrance, the wick is what really makes it shine.
The wick allows you to light your candle, and it does much more. It determines the speed at which a candle burns and plays an important role in maintaining a candle's cleanliness after it is lit.
These essential components are often overlooked by many people. Your first question may be, "What are candle wicks made from?" There are many options.
Types of Wicks
There are many styles of candle wicks and they can be made from a variety of materials. Whatever type of candle wick you choose, make sure you read and follow all candle care instructions. These are some of the most popular wick types:
Flat Wicks
Flat wicks are most popular. They are usually made of three bundles braided cotton or other fiber. They are similar to backpack and purse straps and are designed to curl when they are used. The result is a self-trimming effect.
Square Wicks
Square wicks are also made of braided fiber, but they look similar to flat wicks. They are also rounder and stronger, which means they can stay upright for longer periods of time. This type of candle wick requires more frequent trimming because they are slightly curled and self-trimmed.
Cored Wks
This type of wick, as the name implies, has a core. These wicks are made from a strong inner core of zinc or cotton and a fibrous outer layer. They are a great choice for container candles as the core makes them strong and able to stand on their own.
However, they are susceptible to mushrooming so make sure to trim them regularly. One of the most common options for container candles is cored wicks.
Wooden Wicks
Wooden wicks are made primarily from natural wood and offer a slow, even flame. Some wicks have one ply, while others may have multiple plies. Candles can also be made with decorative wooden wicks of different shapes.
The crackling sound of wooden wicks is reminiscent of the crackling of a campfire or fireplace. They come in many sizes and shapes, and need to be regularly trimmed.
Specialty Wicks
This category is a general one. Some brands have their own wicks. Some products, such as insect-repellent candles, require special wicks. Special wicks are also required for oil lamps. These wicks are included in the specialty wicks category along with any other wicks not included in the others.
What is the working principle of candle wicks?
Candle wicks are not just logs that burn in a fireplace. They siphon fuel up to the flame using a scientific principle called capillary action. Capillary action refers to the adhesion, surface and cohesion of fuel. The fuel in candles is the melted wax. The wick draws liquid into it by adhesion.
The wax moves upwards because of the cohesion among its molecules and its surface pressure. The same thing happens when you dip a paper towel into water. Watch the water move up the paper. Plants can also take in nutrients and water through capillary action.
Different types of wicks and materials have different effects on capillary action. Different wick types and materials pull up wax differently. This can be dependent on the size of the flame, the temperature and the speed at which the candle burns.
Too fast burning wicks can cause excessive soot and make it difficult to light. Even though they are small, wicks play an important role in the overall functionality and safety of candles of any type.